The State Department has put together an interactive map that tracks the movements of Madame Secretary. The map uses Google technology with fancy State Department symbols.
A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for the Connecticut shoreline from New Haven east to the Rhode Island border.
The National Hurricane Center issued the warning at 11 a.m. Thursday, as Hurricane Earl continued on a track to bring it close to Southern New England by Friday. The NHC also posted a Hurricane Warning for parts of Massachusetts, including all of Cape Cod.
If Earl stays on the current track, it could bring strong winds and heavy rains to southestern Connecticut Friday.
The powerful hurricane is expected to move to just off the North Carolina coast by Thursday morning. Forecasters have warned of a "dangerous storm surge" that could raise water levels by up to five feet above ground level in some areas. "Large and destructive waves" could also cause problems.
Earl was also causing swells along the East Coast, resulting in dangerous surf conditions and rip currents.
The National Hurricane Center has posted a hurricane warning for parts of North Carolina. Hurricane conditions are possible on the Outer Banks of North Carolina as the storm passes close to Cape Hatteras.
All available computer model data in the NBC Connecticut Weather Center indicates that Earl will pass southeast of Connecticut. All data also indicates the hurricane will stay southeast of Cape Cod but make a very close pass Friday afternoon.
Local
While at this point, only fringe effects from Earl seem likely in Connecticut, Cape Cod could see much more significant impacts from the storm.
Additionally, very powerful surf and rip currents from the hurricane will develop far in advance of the storm's arrival along ocean facing beaches on the Cape and Rhode Island.
